The car is hot, and 5 Seconds of Summer plays through the speakers. We have another hour to go, driving along the Great Ocean Road. Ciara, a friend I met in Lisbon, invited me on this little trip to Lorne – a seaside town where golden beaches meet picturesque green forests. We’re visiting a high school friend of hers who works at a hotel and has got us a room at a discounted rate.
We have lunch in Anglesea and then drive to a nearby lighthouse. I have to hold my shirt down, and Ciara can barely see through her long lashes, blown shut by the wind. As we watch the waves crash against the shore, we fantasise about living in one of the cliffside houses, gazing out over the endless horizon.
Near the big sign spelling out “Great Ocean Road”, we park the car on the side of the road, and take a picture there like real tourists. The road was built by 3,000 returned soldiers who struggled to find employment after the war. Designed as a memorial for those who served in World War I, it stretches 243 kilometres, making it the largest war memorial in the world. On top of that, it was built primarily by hand and took over a decade to complete.
We meet Hannah at the hotel, and she shows us our room. After settling in, we get ready and decide to spend some time at the beach before going out for dinner. Hannah and I run straight into the water, opting to rip off the bandage quickly, while Ciara eases in slowly, embracing the cold as it creeps up her skin. When we get out, the sharp sand whips against us from every direction, and we pack up our things.
We have dinner at The Mexican Republic, a cozy Mexican restaurant where Hannah’s boyfriend works. Instead of ordering off the menu, we get special treatment – the chef makes us corn on the cob with cheese, an enchilada, a taco, and a burrito that we all share. The food is great, and of course, the company is even better. While I drink a lemon, lime and bitters – a non-alcoholic Australian drink – they quench their thirst with one Margarita after another. By the time we leave the restaurant, we’re laughing and dancing to the music in our heads.
Ciara likes sleeping in, so I spend the morning reading and drinking tea before we head off to meet Hannah for brunch at ten. Afterwards, we set off for our first stop of the day: Teddy’s Lookout. Perched high above the coastline, we take in sweeping views of the winding Great Ocean Road and the stunning Otway Ranges. We scan the trees for signs of koalas but have no luck, so after soaking in the scenery, we carry on as Ciara drives us to Kennet River. There we do see one koala, hidden in a tree and fast asleep. I must admit it was a little underwhelming. We don’t linger too long on the sleeping koala, but instead move on to Sheoak Falls.
The waterfall feels secluded, almost secret, and as I listen to the water crashing down, I think about how incredible it would be to sit here and read all day. Nearby, a couple is clearly getting ready to go into the water, and I can’t help but watch them. Their eyes are fixed on the water or each other, as if no one else is there. I admire their untetheredness, their ability to be fully in the moment, and wish that I could do the same right this moment.
I focus my lens on the couple and capture their free-spirited relationship – they look like they’re in a movie. When one of them leaves and returns with a disposable camera, I offer to take their picture, and he happily accepts. I then mention that I had taken a few shots with my own camera and ask if they’d like me to send them their photos. We chat a bit, and they are so grateful and kind. As we leave the waterfall, I have this big beam on my face and I realise that capturing moments for others probably brings me even more joy than them.
We end our road trip at Erskine Falls, a towering waterfall hidden deep within the woods. A built-in lookout platform with a wooden fence offers a safe vantage point, but my desire of always having more, more, more, make me want to go closer. There are no signs prohibiting going closer, and there are other people doing it too, so I give in to the temptation of a little ‘adventure’. The way over the rocks towards the waterfall isn’t difficult, so I challenge myself to get as close as possible.
I sit at the base of the waterfall for a while, taking it all in – the sound of the water crashing down, the cool mist in the air. After a few minutes, I climb up even further until I’m close enough to reach out and touch the falling water. It’s an incredible view, and for a moment, I wish I could stay here forever. But when I glance back, I see Ciara and Hannah watching me from the platform, and I figure they’re ready to go. I tie my hair up in a bun, take one last look, and climb back down.
Ciara and me take a little break at our hotel before heading out again. We meet up with Hannah, who leads us to a public barbecue spot where her friends are gathered. They’re all Latin – either from Chile or Peru – and Spanish music plays through a boombox, adding to the lively atmosphere. We eat, dance, and chat. I am happy to be here.
It’s been almost two week now and I am really having the best time ever. Daisy’s family is incredibly welcoming and, of course, Daisy herself is an amazing host and friend. I am so excited for the things I have planned, and even more for the things I don’t know are going to happen yet.
-Cels
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